Ejector for loader bucket



1 1970 R. H. ANDERSON ET AL 3,523,621

EJECTOR 'FORI LOADER BUCKET 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 22, 1968INVENTORS RODNEY H. ANDERSON FRED J. SALZMAN ATTORNEYS g- 1970 R. H.ANDERSON ET AL 3,523,621

EJEC'I'OR FOR LOADER BUCKET Filed April 22, 1968 4 Sheets$heet 3 4 L?" al. \Q 5g 4 37 19) L INVENTORS 2| RODNEY H. ANDERSON ET; 5 4 FRED .J.SALZMAN I I t v [7L2 g 7 ATTORNEYS Aug. 11, 1970 R, H ANDERSON ET AL3,523,621

EJECTOR FOR LOADER BUCKET Filed April 22, '1968 4 Sheets-Sheet sINVENTORS RODNEY H. ANDERSON FRED J. SALZMAN ATTORNEYS g- 1970 v R. H.ANDERSON ET AL 3,523,621

EJECTOR FOR LOADER BUCKET 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 22, 1968INVENTORS RODNEY H. ANDERSON FRED J. SALZMAN +41 AT TORN EYS UnitedStates Pa e 3,523,621 EJECTOR FOR LOADER BUCKET Rodney H. Anderson,Peoria, and Fred J. Salzman, Metamora, Ill., assignors to CaterpillarTractor Co., Peoria, 11]., a corporation of California Filed Apr. 22,1968, Ser. No. 722,902 Int. Cl. E02b 3/81 US. Cl. 214--146 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Three embodiments of an ejector bucket havingits floor configured for optimum loading characteristics and an ejectormechanism comprising first and second plate elements pivotally connectedto the top of the bucket and the first element respectively. A thirdejector element controls the position of the second element relating tothe first. With the ejector retracted in the bucket, the second elementis angled relative to the first for increased bucket capacity. Duringejection, the third element positions the second element in straightangle face relation with the first element to facilitate removal ofmaterial from the ejector face.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. PATENT US. patent application Ser. No.591,862 for Ejector Bucket, filed Nov. 3, 1966 by Trevor G. Campbell,now Pat. No. 3,426,928, and assigned to the assignee of the presentinvention.

Loader vehicles of a type having buckets carried on lift arms areextensively employed for loading of bulk materials such as earth intotruck bodies for example. Ejector mechanisms are coming into commonusage since they provide for positive removal of material from thebuckets and thus increase critical operating efiiciency. Ejector bucketsfurther enhance operating efiiciency in that the bucket floor isgenerally horizontal during unloading. The loader vehicle may be rapidlymoved away from a truck body for example without first raising thebucket or having the bucket come into damaging contact with thesidewalls of the truck body. Ejectors are also commonly formed withsubstantial transverse angles, as in the above mentioned application, orwith arcs in their faces so that they generally conform with the rear ofthe bucket assembly during loading and thus increase bucket capacity.However, when materials that tend to cake or stick are being loaded, theangled or arched recesses in the ejector face tend to hold the materialand prevent it from sliding olf during ejection of material from thebucket. Thus, it is common to provide suitable stops or other means forjarring the ejector as it completes its ejection motion through thebucket. Repeated impact of the ejector against such stops is undesirablesince it increases mechanical wear, is objectionable to the operator andis time consuming. A further design problem concurrently involves twoconsiderations. Firstly, the longitudinal cross-section of the bucketfloor is important in determining loading characteristics. To facilitatepenetration of the bucket floor into material being loaded and movementof the material into rearward portions of the bucket, it is desirable toprovide a thin crosssection along a substantial forward portion of thefloor and then gradually taper it upwardly at the rear of the bucket.However, it is also necessary for a sweeping edge of the ejector tofollow a path closely parallel to the floor to permit complete ejectionof material from the bucket. Prior art configurations have generallycoinprised between these two considerations. For example, the floorcross-section conforms with the sweeping path 3,523,621 Patented Aug.11, 1970 of the ejector edge to the detriment of the loadingcharacteristics discussed above.

The present invention provides an ejector bucket which overcomes theproblems discussed above. A transverse pivot along the ejector facepermits it to assume an angled position when retracted into the bucketfor increased loading capacity. Suitable means cause the generally fiatejector face segments to assume a straight angle relation as the ejectorcompletes its ejecting motion through the bucket to facilitate removalof material from its face. An additional ejector element closelycontrols the angular relation of the ejector so that its sweeping edgefollows a path parallel to a bucket floor configuration selected foroptimum loading characteristics. The present ejector mechanism isparticularly adapted either for automatic operation in response tointeraction of the bucket with its lift arms and tilt linkage or foroperator controlled remote operation as by hydraulic jacks.

Other advantages and objects of the present invention are made apparentin the following description having reference to the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a forward end of a loader vehiclehaving an ejector bucket in a position to commence loading, parts of thebucket being in section on line II of FIG. 3;

FIG. 2 is a similar view of the ejector bucket of FIG. 1 after rack-backfollowing loading;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the ejector bucket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the ejector bucket of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are side elevation views, partially in section, of theejector bucket of FIG. 1 in carry and eject positions respectively;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view, partially in section, of an ejectorbucket similar to FIG. 1 and illustrating an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view, partially in section,

. of the ejector bucket of FIG. 7 in its eject position; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 are side elevation views, partially in section, ofanother embodiment of an ejector bucket similar to that of FIG. 1 in aposition prior to loading and in an eject position respectively.

Having reference to FIG. 1, a bucket assembly 12 is shown beingpivotally supported upon the forward end of a loader vehicle 11 by apair of lift arms 13 (see FIG. 3 also). Hydraulic tilt jacks 14 arepivotally connected to the vehicle at 1-6 and their rod ends 17 arepivotally connected to the bucket to control forward and rearwardtilting of the bucket. A hydraulic lift jack 18 is pivotally connectedbetween the vehicle and each lift arm for raising and lowering thebucket. Having reference also to FIG. 2, the bucket has a curved floor19 with a thin, longitudinal cross-section adjacent its forward cuttingedge 21 to facilitate penetration of material to be loaded. The floortapers upwardly at the rear of the bucket to assist in moving materialinto the rearward portions of the bucket. A sidewall 22 at each side ofthe bucket and two pairs of spaced brackets 23 at the rear of the bucketare interconnected between the floor and a structural cross member 24 atthe top of the bucket. The lift arms and tilt jack rods are secured tothe bucket by pivotal connections 26 and 27 respectively with the pairedbrackets 23.

One embodiment of an ejector mechanism according to the presentinvention comprises a first ejector member or plate 31 which has a flatface surface 32 and is pivotally secured to the sidewalls 22 at 33adjacent cross member 24 (see FIG. 4 as well as FIG. 1). A secondsubstantially flat faced ejector member or plate 34 is pivotally securedat 36 along the lower transverse edge of the first plate 31. The secondor lower plate 34 has a sweeping edge 37 for removing material from thebucket floor during ejector operation as discussed below.

During load and carry operations, the present invention contemplatesangling of the two plates 31 and 34 so that they generally conform withthe rear of the bucket, as seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, and provide a largecapacity for the bucket. As the bucket is tilted forwardly to its ejectposition, their angular relation is positively controlled so that theyare in substantially straight-angle face relation as ejection ofmaterial from the bucket is completed (see FIG. 6). In thisconfiguration, material easily slides off the ejector face. To controlthe angle of the ejector as discussed immediately above, a third ejectormember comprises a link 38 at each side of the bucket which is pivotallyconnected at 39 to the cross member 24 and at 41 to a pair of brackets42 extending rearwardly from the second ejector plate 34. The lengths ofthe links 38 and brackets 42 are selected so that when the ejector isrearwardly positioned in the buckets, the angular relation of theejector plates 31 and 34 is fixed for maximum bucket capacity. As theejector is caused to move forwardly through the bucket for ejectoperation, the angular relation between the plates approaches toward thedesired straight-angle relation. Accordingly, the sweeping edge 37 ofthe lower ejector plate is extended downwardly at a gradually decreasingrate so that it follows a path parallel to and closely adjacent thebucket floor 19. As the ejector plates reach a position at the front ofthe bucket where ejection is complete (see FIG. 6), they are positivelyaligned by the links 38 to have a straight-angle face relation andfacilitate removal of sticky or caked material from the ejector face. Asthe ejector is returned to the rear of the bucket, the links 38 againposition them in angled relation, as discussed above, for loading.

In the present embodiment, the ejector is operated automatically by thepivotal position of the bucket on its lift arms so that the ejectorremains positioned in the rear of the bucket until the bucket is tiltedforwardly into its eject position (FIG. 6) from its carry position (FIG.The ejector is again returned to the rear of the bucket as the bucket isracked back from its eject position. Means for accomplishing thesefunctions, having particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, comprise a pairof spaced apart triangular or bellcrank levers 51 having a pivot point52 centrally located on the cross member 24. The lower ends of thebellcrank levers are pivoted at 53 to brackets 54 which extendrearwardly from the second ejector plate 34. A central control link 56is pivotally secured at 57 to the other ends of both bellcrank leversand extends downwardly to an integrally formed shaft 58 transverselydisposed between the lift arms. Levers 59 are pivotally secured upon pinprojections 61 at each end of the shaft and extend downwardly forpivotal connection at 62 to the lift arms respectively. Radial segmentsof the levers 59 and shaft 58 overlap and form first and second pairs offacing stop surfaces indicated at 60, 65 and '63, 64 respectively.

In the automatic operating sequence of the ejector control means, therearward pair of stop surfaces 63 and 64 is shown in abutting relation.The bucket is positioned to commence loading with the ejector positionedcompletely to the rear of the bucket for maximum loading capacity asshown in FIG. 1. The ejector may move forwardly through the bucket withpivotal interaction of the control link 56 and bellcrank levers 51 andseparation of the rearward stops 63 and 64. However, forward motion ofthe ejector is halted when the forward stops 60 and 65 abut with eachother so that the ejector is maintained toward the rear of the bucket.Earth or other material being loaded into the bucket acts against theejector and pushes it into the rearward position shown in FIG. 1 so thatthe full capacity of the bucket is available for loading. As the bucketis tilted forwardly on its lift arms by the tilt linkage, relativeextension of the levers 59 and control link 56 locates the pivot point57 59 tha the bellcrank levers 51 are rotated clockwise and move theejector toward the rear of the bucket. The links 38 then establish thedesired angular relation of the ejector plates as discussed above. Asthe bucket is racked back during loading to the position shown in FIG.2, pivotal interaction of the shaft 58 and levers 59, with separation ofthe rearward stop surfaces 63 and 64, and closing of the forward stopsurfaces '60 and takes up lost motion in the ejector control linkage.Thus the ejector is permitted to remain at the rear of the bucket.Raising the bucket on its lift arms to a normal carry position as shownin FIG. 5 again causes pivotal extension of the levers 59 and controllink 56 so that the stop surfaces 63 and 64 come into abutting relationwith the ejector still positioned at the rear of the bucket. As thebucket is then tilted forwardly for ejection, completion of which isillustrated in FIG. 6, the control link 56 and levers 59 interactthrough their abutting stop surfaces 63 and 64 to rotate the bellcranklevers counterclockwise. In turn, the bellcrank levers cause the ejectorto move forwardly through the bucket to the position in FIG. 6.Simultaneously, the ejector plates 31 and 34 approach a straightangleface relation with the sweeping edge 37 of the ejector passing closelyadjacent and parallel the floor. At completion of the forward motion ofthe ejector, the plates assume their desired straight-angle facerelation. As the bucket is again returned to its carry position and thenthe position of FIG. 1 to again commence loading, the control linkageand angular control links perform the above steps in reverse to againposition the ejector toward the rear of the bucket.

An alternate embodiment of the ejector mechanism is illustrated in FIGS.7 and 8 with a bucket which is shown in a position to commence loading(similar to FIG. 1) and at completion of ejection (similar to FIG. 6)respectively. The bucket components, ejector members and angularcontrolling means are the same as in the embodiment of FIG. 1, forexample, and have identical reference numerals. However, the ejectioncontrol means are altered so that operation of the ejector is remotelycontrollable by means of a double acting hydraulic jack 111. The jack ispivotally secured at 112 to a bracket 113 connected to the cross member24 and its rod 114 is pivoted at 116 to another bracket 117 extendingrearwardly from the second or lower ejector plate 34.

To eject, the jack 111 is extended and moves the ejector forwardlythrough the bucket to the position as in FIG. 8. The angular controllinglinks 38 determine the path of the sweeping ejector edge 37 and alignthe ejector plates in the straight-angle relation shown in FIG. 8. Theejector is returned to the rear of the bucket as shown in FIG. 7 byretraction of the jack. In this arrangement, a jack such as that shownat 111 may be similarly disposed at each side of the bucket to reducestresses in the ejector mechanism during eject operation.

Another alternate embodmient of the ejector mechanism is illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10. A remotely operable hydraulic jack is also employed inthis embodiment to operate the ejector. However, the ejector is formeddifferently and the angular control means for the ejector are different.The bucket components are generally similar to those in FIGS. 1 and 7,for example, and are identified by similar but primed numerals.

The ejector comprises a first ejector member or fiat faced plate 231which is pivoted to the top of the bucket structure at 233. A secondejector plate 234, having a similar flat face, is pivoted at 236 alongthe transverse lower edge of the first plate 231. A sweeping edge 237 isformed as a separate member and is pivoted at 240 along the lowertransverse edge of the second plate 234.

Means for operating the ejector comprise a double acting, telescopinghydraulic jack 211 which is pivotally secured at 212 to a bracket 213extending rearwardly from the brackets 23. The jack has a rod end 214which is pivotally secured at 216 to the first ejector member 231.Extension of the jack 211 causes the ejector to move forwardly throughthe bucket to the position shown in FIG. while retraction of the jackreturns the ejector to the rear of the bucket as in FIG. 9.

The angular control means for the present ejector comprise a pair ofstops 271 and 272 disposed respectively at the rear of ejector members231 and 234. Abutment of these stops limits rearward pivoting of thesecond ejector member 234 in a position where it is in straight angleface relation with the first ejector member 231 (see FIG. 10). To thatextent, the stops interact to perform a function similar to the angularcontrol links 38 of FIGS. 1 and 7 for example.

To control the angular relation of the ejector members as they movethrough the bucket and to permit them to assume a proper angled relationat the rear of the bucket for increased bucket capacity, rollers as at273 are mounted on the sides of the ejector sweeping edge member. Tracks274 in each bucket sidewall 22' adjacent and parallel to the floor 19receive and guide the rollers 273. As the ejector passes forwardlythrough the bucket from its rearward position shown in FIG. 9, therollers 273 ride in the track 274 and cause the ejector sweeping edgemember 237 to follow a path adjacent and parallel the bucket floor. Asthe rollers pass along portions of the track further distant from thepivot point 233, the second ejector member 234 pivots rearwardly andappraches a straight-angle face relation with the first ejector member231 (as shown in FIG. 10). As the ejector is returned toward the rear ofthe bucket, the rollers follow the tracks 274 and are positioned closerto the pivot point 233 so that the first and second ejector members 231and 234 as well as the sweeping edge member 237 assume relatively angledpositions (see FIG. 9) for increased bucket capacity as discussed above.In that position, the second ejector member is positioned generallyvertically, with the bucket in a position to commence loading, so thatits weight tends to maintain its desired position as well as that of thesweeping edge member 237 during initial loading of the bucket. Therollers 273 additionally serve to prevent frictional engagement of thesweeping edge with the bucket floor.

We claim:

1. In an ejector mechanism for a forwardly open loader bucket having afloor, the combination comprising a first ejector element having a fiatface and being pivotally secured in transverse relation adjacent the topof the bucket,

a second ejector element having a substantially flat face and pivotallysecured to a transverse lower edge of said first ejector element,

a sweeping edge formed on a separate member which is pivotally securedto the lower transverse edge of said second ejector element, saidseparate member being arranged for travel of said sweeping edge along apath substantially parallel with the bucket floor,

operating means connected to said first ejector element for moving theejector forwardly through the bucket to an eject position and forretracting the ejector to a position where it forms a rearward wall ofthe bucket suitable for loading, and

a third ejector element operatively connected to said first and secondelements to cause said first and second elements to have a straightangle face relation in the eject position to facilitate ejection ofmaterial from the bucket and to permit said elements to assume an angledrelation when retracted in the bucket to increase bucket capacity, saidthird ejector element comprising stop means arranged for interactionbetween said first and second ejector elements to positively limitrearward pivoting of said second ejector element when it is in straightangle face relation with said first ejector element.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein roller means are disposed uponsaid sweeping edge member, a track for said roller means is formed bythe bucket along a path parallel to and adjacent the bucket floor andsaid ejector operating means is at least one remotely operable hydraulicmotor means interconnected between said first ejector element and thebucket.

3. In an ejector mechanism for a forwardly open loader bucket having afloor, the combination comprising a first ejector element having a fiatface and being pivotally secured in transverse relation adjacent the topof the bucket,

a second ejector element having a substantially flat face and pi-votallysecured to a transverse lower edge of said first ejector element,

means operatively connected to the ejector for moving the ejectorforwardly through the bucket to an eject position and for retracting theejector to a position where it forms a rearward wall of the bucketsuitable for loading,

third ejector element interconnected between said second element and thebucket for causing said first and second elements to have a straightangle face relation in the eject position to facilitate ejection ofmaterial from the bucket, said first and second elements assuming anangled relation when retracted in the bucket to increase bucketcapacity, said third element positively limiting rearward pivoting ofsaid second element about the pivotal axis between said first and secondelements at said straight angle face relation with said first ejectorelement when the ejeotor is in its eject position, and

sweeping edge supported by said second ejector element to travel along apath substantially parallel with the bucket floor during forward motionof the ejector through the bucket.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the bucket floor has alongitudinal cross-section of optimum configuration for loading of thebucket, a portion of the floor which is traversed by the sweeping edgebeing substantially fiat toward the front of the bucket and taperingupwardly toward the rear of the bucket, said third ejector elementcomprising a link pivotally interconnected between said second ejectorelement and the bucket.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein the path of the sweeping edgeassociated with said second ejector element is positively established bysaid third ejector element.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the bucket is pivotally supportedon at least one lift armfor raising and lowering the bucket, tiltlinkage is associated with the bucket for tilting it forwardly andrearwardly and ejector operating means are interconnected between thebucket, the lift arm and oneof the first andsecond elements to positionsaid first and second ejector-elements in response to the position ofthe bucket on its lift arm.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said third ejector elementcomprises at least one link pivotally interconnected between said secondejector element and the bucket.

8, The combination of claim 7 wherein said ejector operating meanscomprises a bellcrank lever having its central pivot point fixed to thebucket and one end pivot point fixed to said second ejector element, theother end pivot point being pivotally interconnected with the lift armby means of an ejector control link and a lever which are in turnpivoted to each other, first stop means being associated with thecontrol link and lever so that the ejector is normally secured in aretracted position at the rear of the bucket, second stop means beingassociated with the control link and lever to interact as the bucket istilted forwardly to its eject position so that the control link andlever, in combination with said bellcrank lever, cause ejecting actionof the ejector.

9. The combination of claim 5 wherein said ejector operating meanscomprises at least one remotely operable motor means operativelyinterconnected between said References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTSBeyerstedt et a1. 214--510 Beyerstedt 2145l0 Clark et al. 214510 XCampbell et a1. 214-146 Urban 214-146 8 1 3,176,863 4/1965 Kuhl 214-1463,346,974 10/1967 Haynes 214--510 X 3,380,604 4/1968 Leese 214767 X3,421,236 1/1969 Moyer 214510 X 5 3,426,928 2/1969 Campbell 214146 XFOREIGN PATENTS 499,122 1/1954 Canada.

US. Cl. X.R.

